diff --git a/frappe/model/naming.py b/frappe/model/naming.py
index f6a947cf4b..dbe236f09e 100644
--- a/frappe/model/naming.py
+++ b/frappe/model/naming.py
@@ -94,12 +94,15 @@ def make_autoname(key='', doctype='', doc=''):
 	elif not "." in key:
 		frappe.throw(_("Invalid naming series (. missing)") + (_(" for {0}").format(doctype) if doctype else ""))
 
+	parts = key.split('.')
+	n = parse_naming_series(parts, doctype, doc)
+	return n
+
+def parse_naming_series(parts, doctype= '', doc = ''):
 	n = ''
-	l = key.split('.')
 	series_set = False
 	today = now_datetime()
-
-	for e in l:
+	for e in parts:
 		part = ''
 		if e.startswith('#'):
 			if not series_set:
@@ -120,6 +123,7 @@ def make_autoname(key='', doctype='', doc=''):
 
 		if isinstance(part, basestring):
 			n+=part
+
 	return n
 
 def getseries(key, digits, doctype=''):